Prayagraj witnessed a significant declaration on Tuesday as Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced India’s stellar progress in defense manufacturing. Speaking at the North Tech Symposium 2026, he revealed that defense production has grown 174 percent to ₹1.54 lakh crore in the last 10 years, with exports multiplying 34 times to ₹23,622 crore.
The private sector’s ₹15,000 crore contribution to exports underscores a collaborative revolution in defense production. This shift marks India’s emergence as a global exporter from its importer past.
‘We are entering a decisive phase where technology, homegrown innovation, and private participation define our global identity,’ Dr. Singh told the audience. Modern warfare, he explained, relies on cutting-edge technology, real-time analytics, and automation rather than brute force alone.
India’s advancements in space tech, nuclear power, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing are now central to national security strategies. Progress in quantum-secure communications promises to revolutionize future battlefields.
Budgetary commitments reflect this momentum: ₹6.81 lakh crore for defense in 2026-27, up 9.5 percent. Policy reforms and funding are fueling an innovation ecosystem, enabling indigenous technologies to thrive.
Coordination is key, the minister urged—aligning military requirements with research and industry strengths. This will create a self-reliant framework emphasizing speed, from concept to combat readiness, with priorities on durability and scalability.
Beyond borders, armed forces are pivotal in disaster response and aid, with recent examples proving their life-saving impact. The symposium, running May 4-6, unites stakeholders to innovate in AI, drones, robotics, cyber defense, and more, with 280+ partners engaged.
India’s self-reliance drive centers on owning its tech destiny. Dr. Singh is confident that unified efforts will elevate the nation to defense tech leadership.
